Coronavirus Update

2nd April 2020

Support whilst we are closed over the Easter Break – we are still here for you!

BTL will be closed over the holiday period (week commencing 6th April 2020 and week commencing 13th April 2020). BTL will resume contact with students via the Bridge Moodle / telephone and/or Microsoft Teams on Monday 20th April

If you have a pastoral support question, or feel that you need our pastoral support, please feel free to email us at hello@bridgetrainingltd.co.uk. We will get back to you with an answer, signposted advice or a phone appointment to talk things through.

If you have a concern about the safety of a student, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead during normal BTL hours (0845 – 1645). Alternatively, please contact Children and Families Helpdesk on 01452 426565 (during office hours), but if you are concerned about the immediate safety of a child please contact the Police on 101 at any time.

25th March 2020

Coronavirus Update

Following recent announcements made by the government, and discussions with the local authority, I am updating you further on measures and changes that Bridge Training Ltd (BTL) must now put in place to protect the well-being and safety of all its learners, staff and their families.

It is with sadness that I must announce that from 5pm today (25th March 2020), both Bridge Training sites will be closed for all students for the foreseeable future, to ensure their physical safety and limit any risk of exposure.

I want to ensure you that Bridge Training will continue to support students both to complete their qualifications and in terms of their continued wellbeing. As such it is important that students keep up to date with their studies via the Bridge Moodle and to stay in contact with their teachers and our welfare team.

Whilst the Government have set out plans to determine GCSE grades, there has been no announcements yet about the many other types of qualifications we deliver. It is important that you continue to complete the assigned work set in order to successfully achieve your qualifications and get the best grades you can for your continued progress.

Please check our website and social media for up-to-date support and guidance.

Remember: we are staying in so we can go back out, we are keeping apart so we can come back together, all of our hard todays are for a happier tomorrow.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Harrod

Managing Director, Bridge Training Limited

24th March 2020

Coronavirus Update

The Government have asked parents to keep their children at home wherever possible and have asked Bridge Training to remain open, but only for those students who need to attend.

Bridge Training have contacted the parents of those with EHCPs and those defined as vulnerable and arrangements have been made for those learners, as long as they are feeling healthy.

For those learners who are attending, please note that although the government guidelines state; people can only leave their homes to buy food, medicine and to exercise, but they’re also allowed to travel to and from work (School & Colleges are treated the same). If a learner is stopped or questioned by the police, then they must inform them that they are attending college and should ring Bridge Training for confirmation on 01452 411112

All learners who are not attending Bridge should complete the work which has been set by your teachers. If you have any problems, please do not hesitate to contact them.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Harrod

Managing Director, Bridge Training Limited

20/03/2020

Coronavirus

I am sure that you were as disappointed as I was upon hearing the news about the closure of schools and colleges. However, I can assure you that BTL will respond proactively to support our students through these challenging times.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement BTL will close at 5pm today until further notice. This could be long term – possibly weeks or months. We have prepared for this by providing online learning resources: please ensure that you can access our on-line learning platform (Bridge Moodle) and that there is an internet connection at home. If you do not have internet connection, please do contact us immediately and we will supply paper copies of all the work. It is expected that all students log in to the Bridge Moodle and complete the work which has been set by their teachers.

BTL will remain open to specific students who need our support and those students of key workers;

Health and Social Care

Education and Childcare

Key Public Service

Local and National Government

Food and other necessary goods

Public Safety and National Security

Transport

Utilities, Communication and Financial Services

Please let us know immediately if they will be attending. Please also confirm your profession when booking as we will need to keep a detailed record and may need supporting evidence.

BTL hours during this period will change, with both sites being open from Monday – Wednesday 0830– 5:00pm and telephone support available on Thursday and Friday.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Harrod

Managing Director, Bridge Training Limited

19/03/2020

Hi all,

“In light of the current government recommendations and advice on dealing with the Coronavirus outbreak it has been announced that schools and colleges in England will close to most pupils on March 20th for an indefinite period of time, and that external examinations such as GCSEs will not take place as originally planned.

It is of our highest importance that both the safety and continued support of our learners is maintained throughout this current climate and as such Bridge Training will operate with the following restrictions in effect from 5pm Friday 20th March:

-The Bridge Training buildings (both Archdeacon Centre and Skills Centre) will be closed to the majority of students from 5pm Friday 20th March. For students whose guardians are identified as ‘key workers’* by the government, or those with additional needs and/or Education Health Care Plans, we will be contacting you directly to arrange continued classroom based learning; it is possible that there will be changes to these student’s usual timetables.

-We will continue to support all remaining students’ planned programme of study, enabling them to work from home from Monday 23rd March until further notified. This continued distance learning will be supported by their tutors via online communications. Students will also have regular contact with our Student Wellbeing team and support staff to ensure continued progress.

-Arrangements will be updated and put in place to continue aid for those students that receive free school meals or bursary payments.

This information is based on our current understanding of the situation and is such subject to change; please continue to check our website or social media for any updates as they arise.

For any clarification please do not hesitate to contact us on 01452 411112 between the hours of 8:45 and 16:45.

*Full list of those occupations to be identified as ‘key workers’ will be updated once the government releases official guidance on this.”